Related Media

I was disappointed to read the cynical letters written regarding the Breckenridge child care scholarship. The people writing these letters are the ones who directly benefit from the scholarship, in my opinion. Who is going to answer 911 calls and dispatch first responders in emergencies, maintain our streets when the snow falls and teach our children when they attend school? The parents of the children who are both directly and indirectly benefited by the scholarship are the ones who will be maintaining these critics’ lifestyles. Richard Fore, I don’t think Morgan Thompson was suggesting that Breckenridge residents “ride the gravy train” so that they can provide their children with quality early education. I believe she, like many other parents, wants to see children succeed. Research shows that individuals who were enrolled in quality preschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school, to own homes and have longer marriages. Research also shows that at-risk children who don’t receive a high-quality early childhood education are 25 percent more likely to drop out of school, 40 percent more likely to become a teen parent, 50 percent more likely to be placed in special education and 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.

Where would you rather see your tax dollars spent?

I believe we, as a community, are looking for ways to keep our employed families within town limits. If creating a community of families means subsidizing child care, then why not? We’ve voted to subsidize the recreation center, the ice arena, even the golf course! Maybe we should consider investing more in child care. The Breckenridge child care scholarship allows teachers and administrators to earn a competitive salary, which keeps good teachers in our community, providing our students with quality education. Providing quality education creates financial independence.